Wilsons Security Systems of Dartmouth will continue its pattern of growth through acquisitions and hiring, president Dave Wilson said Monday.

“This is a Maritime venture with the objective of becoming the leading independent security provider in the region,” Wilson said of the growing security side of the family business.

Wilsons Security, an affiliate of Wilson Fuel Co., acquired AML Security Inc., a Dartmouth commercial security specialists, in the closing weeks of last year. Wilsons also closed on the purchase of Northeastern Alarm & Security Ltd., a Trenton home-security operation.

Wilsons Security initiated the pattern of growth through acquisitions a couple of years ago when it purchased Dartmouth’s former Sure Safe Security Ltd. This purchase added home and commercial security to the company’s traditional fuel and home-heating portfolio.

Wilson said the recent acquisition of AML Security expanded the commercial client base, while bringing in sophisticated technology and experienced technicians.

The acquisition of Northeastern Alarm & Security gives Wilsons Security an operating base in the New Glasgow region, and the expertise of a technician.

“Security services complement our strength in heating-oil deliveries and installations and monitoring of heating systems through Wilsons Home Heating,” said Wilson.

The business is looking for other leading home and commercial security businesses to add to its operations, with owners and/or technicians joining Wilsons, he said.

“We realized this was a logical move for us when we started offering heat-monitoring services and realized we were in a good position to add a range of security services.”

A basic home telephone security service can be had for about $20 per month, while advanced Internet features bring the monthly connection fee up to at least $40 per month or more depending on features.

Basic home and commercial security is basically a mature industry, with future growth expected to come through the advent of whole home and business monitoring systems, said Wilson.

“These systems can tell you when the kids are home, or warn you of heat or water problems.”

Eastlink moved aggressively into the home security field last year, and just this week, there was word Bell Aliant is testing the waters.

The company is polling its customers on the possibility but had little to say about it Monday.

“We are always looking at new products and services to add to our network,” said Bell Aliant spokeswoman Sarah Levy MacLeod.

“We have surveyed customers about home security and other potential products and services in the past — as we are always interested in understanding our customers’ changing needs.”

Levy MacLeod said Bell Aliant did not have any additional details to share about its interest in the home security business.